We have seen a change in transportation recently. Before the car was transport of choice but recently however the use of push bikes has become increasingly popular. This trend can be attributed to the idea of keeping things 'green' in a bid to take care of our planet. It doesn't hurt that gas is increasing in price either! Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Have you been tempted to use a bike for your everyday transport needs? If you have been thinking about using a bike as your main mode of transportation, or just thinking about getting one for fun, there are a few things you need to think about.
It goes without saying that choosing the correctly sized bike is of utmost importance. The measurement of your inseam is needed for this. Simply measure through your inner leg from your groin to the bottom of your foot to find out your inseam. When you get a bike you should be able to lay both feet flat to the ground if need be. This is for saftey reasons and will allow you to stop the bike if your brakes fail, avoiding any injury.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. It is possible to use mountain bikes for city cycling although this is not what they are best suited for.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Make sure you can place both feet on the ground if need be. Each type of bike requires different clearances. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. With a mountain bike a clearance of 3" will be necessary.
The options right here and technologies available for biking are overwhelming as you search for a new bicycle. From fashion to safety, you have a multitude of choices to make. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps a little perplexed when starting out. By investing a bit of your time to look at your preferences you will make the best decision.
Try to understand your choices before you go shopping. It’s the best answer for easier shopping.